Billy Thompson III, BeltsvilleMember Since May 2009Artist Statement In 1987 I was born in Norfolk Virginia, while a toddler I moved to Maryland and started over with my family . by Middle school I started doodling and messing around with paper and pencils. Most of the time in class I was drawing and nothing else really kept my attention. I started to design fake tattoos when I was 13 all the way through high school. The art work I performed blew people away,so I charged $20 a person..back then that was alot of money. I became Homeless when I was 18 years old, my mom neglected me and my family drifted away from me in terms of acceptance. my only escape was Art. It's held me together like cement with bricks and has helped encourage me to get out of the homeless system.. after about 4 years of going to group homes and suffering health wise as well as family wise. I got my own apartment, with my own money. I then started to reach out to anybody who wanted to see my art..New art!..art that people want to see if youre into new age drawings. Art has helped push me to the top with determination to continue to elivate my gift ,and inspire many other artists who want to give up. that anything is possible. you just have to have that motivation and want to get better at your craft.